This coin is to be sold in an upcoming auction, and the auction house has labelled it as Ravenna minted, in which I have my very doubt: ”Description TIBERIUS II CONSTANTINE (578-582). GOLD Solidus. Ravenna. Obv: D m TIb CONSTANT P P AVG. Crowned, draped and cuirassed bust facing, holding globus cruciger and shield. Rev: VICTORIA AVGG S / CONOB. Cross potent on four steps. Sear 468. Condition: Near extremely fine. Weight: 4.44 g. Diameter: 20 mm. ” The solidus of Ravenna can only be distinguished from Constantinople by looking at its characteristics. It is difficult to explain with words, but one of the obvious characteristic of Ravenna gold is that it has a heavy thick annular border in a wider flan. Here is a good example of an obvious Ravenna minted: I want to ask anyone with knowledge on Byzantine numismatic: does that Solidus in the first image look like a Ravenna-minted to you? I am asking because that coin has been sold in the same auction house back in June 2014 and was still labelled as Ravenna minted. I don’t intend to bid or buy it.
In case some may be interested: The hammer price for that coin, first image and listed as Ravenna minted, turned out to be 625 Euro plus 15% buyer's fee. A normal Contantinople-minted in that condition would have been sold for around 300-400. - I think I can conclude that there were at least 2 bidders who really believed it was Ravenna-minted. I have never touched any Solidus minted in Ravenna, but only read and seen a lot photos, so I am not 100% sure on my assumption that that coin listed was not minted in Ravenna. I am only 97% sure. I have sporadically spotted wrong attributions both in stores and in auctions, so it is not like the sellers never do incorrect attribution. In case others may have an opinion or knowledge I would like to hear it. Otherwise just let the thread die.
